ROCK ISLAND, Illinois -- Starting in 2020, recreational marijuana will be legal in Illinois. In an effort to help answer questions and clear up confusion, the City of Rock Island held a panel discussion.
The panel consisted of experts from human resources, law enforcement, medicine, government and the cannabis business. The Rock Island Library and the Rock Island Community and Economic Development Department hosted,
"There is obviously some concern about the negative impacts of it," Rock Island planning and redevelopment administrator Mile Brainard said. "But, there are a lot of positive things to think about it too. Including diversification of the economy, jobs, and of course some tax revenue."
According to panelist, current Illinois medical dispensaries get the first set of licenses for recreational use. Brainard says this means individual businesses probably won't be able to get their license for the first six months to one year.
"Nothing will happen immediately," Brainard said. "In the first year or two, we may only see one or two dispensaries open up. We think that there won't actually be that much of an impact in the first few years."
People were able to ask questions about drug testing, driving impairment, and taxes.
The panel didn't have all the answers though, explaining that many things aren't established in the legislature.
"There are a lot of details that are a little confusing," Brainard said. "There's been disagreements about what certain parts of the act means."
Watch the full question and answer with the panel below.
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